What is a model and what is a simulation? Submitted by Susan Stark Definition of a model
Based on what I have read as well as my own understanding, models serve to “illustrate” rather than expand upon content. They are replicas of what they are trying to represent. Models allow you to have a picture of what it is that you are trying to visualize on a small scale. The examples that come to mind are doll houses and model cars that we had as children. These houses and cars are meant to look like the real thing but they are scaled down versions and functional only as toys not in the real world as places to live or things to drive! Definition of a simulation
Simulations, however, can be models that interact. They can be used to predict what it will do in the future through this interaction. They make you feel like you are experiencing the situation first hand. T
Live simulations try to create real settings to see what will or can happen.
Virtual simulations are controlled by a computer so that the steps involved to complete the task are paced differently. What comes to mind are some of the simulations I have seen in hospitals where future doctors have to use computer simulators to do laparoscopic surgery? Each procedure teaches the person using the simulator how to hold the equipment properly to complete the task.
Constructive simulators are often used in science and typically “sequence events” to make predictions of the outcome such as predicting the event of a natural disaster such as a hurricane.
Here are some more resources to learn about modeling and simulations: http://www.systems-thinking.org/modsim/modsim.htm
I decided to look for modeling and simulation tools in education and found this link to some resources: http://www.shodor.org/master/
I guess to start to apply this to my teaching practice I need to think about what modeling means in the classroom and what simulation means in the classroom as well. I “model” what I want my students to do all of the time in a face to face classroom by demonstrating a particular concept or activity. So in fact I am illustrating to my classroom what it is that they will do. I need to start thinking about how I can do this with technology or if I do this with technology. I certainly model what I want my students to do using the Smart board.
In my field of teaching I think I have a more difficult time figuring out what types of simulations I might use in the classroom in a Spanish class for example. I can see how simulations can be used in science, math and social studies.
Definition of a model
Based on what I have read as well as my own understanding, models serve to “illustrate” rather than expand upon content. They are replicas of what they are trying to represent. Models allow you to have a picture of what it is that you are trying to visualize on a small scale. The examples that come to mind are doll houses and model cars that we had as children. These houses and cars are meant to look like the real thing but they are scaled down versions and functional only as toys not in the real world as places to live or things to drive!
Definition of a simulation
Simulations, however, can be models that interact. They can be used to predict what it will do in the future through this interaction. They make you feel like you are experiencing the situation first hand. T
Live simulations try to create real settings to see what will or can happen.
Virtual simulations are controlled by a computer so that the steps involved to complete the task are paced differently. What comes to mind are some of the simulations I have seen in hospitals where future doctors have to use computer simulators to do laparoscopic surgery? Each procedure teaches the person using the simulator how to hold the equipment properly to complete the task.
Constructive simulators are often used in science and typically “sequence events” to make predictions of the outcome such as predicting the event of a natural disaster such as a hurricane.
Here are some more resources to learn about modeling and simulations:
http://www.systems-thinking.org/modsim/modsim.htm
I decided to look for modeling and simulation tools in education and found this link to some resources:
http://www.shodor.org/master/
I guess to start to apply this to my teaching practice I need to think about what modeling means in the classroom and what simulation means in the classroom as well. I “model” what I want my students to do all of the time in a face to face classroom by demonstrating a particular concept or activity. So in fact I am illustrating to my classroom what it is that they will do. I need to start thinking about how I can do this with technology or if I do this with technology. I certainly model what I want my students to do using the Smart board.
In my field of teaching I think I have a more difficult time figuring out what types of simulations I might use in the classroom in a Spanish class for example. I can see how simulations can be used in science, math and social studies.